Paper Plane Cocktail
SERVES: 1
The Paper Plane cocktail is a modern classic that elegantly balances bitter, sweet and sour. This bright and most definitely boozy cocktail has secured a special place in my heart … and bar. Inspired by the classic Last Word but with a contemporary twist, this cocktail is equal parts bourbon, Aperol, fresh lemon juice, and Amaro Nonino — one of my absolute favorite amaros. With its blend of caramelized orange, baking spices, and herbal complexity, Amaro Nonino adds a depth that makes this cocktail truly special.
What I love most about the Paper Plane is its versatility. It’s sophisticated yet approachable, bitter yet refreshing, making it just as fitting for a pre-dinner aperitif as it is for a late-hour nightcap. And despite its contemporary origins — it was created in 2008 by renowned NYC bartender Sam Ross for Chicago’s Violet Hour menu — it already feels like a timeless classic. Smooth, complex, and effortlessly cool, it’s the kind of cocktail that never goes out of style.
INGREDIENTS
1 ounce Bourbon; Elijah Craig or Few Italia Bourbon Whiskey
1 ounce Aperol
1 ounce Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon twist or dehydrated blood orange wheel
METHOD
Chill a Nick & Nora glass.
Add bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Garnish with a lemon peel or dehydrated orange wheel.
Cin-Cin!
NOTES
If you want a bit more whiskey bite, use a Rye Whiskey in place of bourbon.
SHOP THE STORY
